EcoWaste Coalition is a public interest network of community, church, school, environmental and health groups pursuing sustainable solutions
to waste, climate change and chemical issues facing the Philippines and the world.

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18 December 2012

Environmental
and health advocates from the EcoWaste Coalition, together with hundreds of students
of Cubao Elementary School (CES) in Quezon City, kicked off their annual drive
against the use of firecrackers by holding an on-campus noise barrage
simulating the New Year reception sans health-damaging and
environment-polluting firecrackers.Instead of using harmful firecrackers, the school assembly, led by Principal
Elena Bote, simultaneously produced sounds out of eco-friendly, home-made
noisemakers such as the well-known torotot to simulate the countdown
celebration to a New Year.

The event formally launched the EcoWaste Coalition’s yearly “Iwas PapuToxic,”
which complements the Department of Health’s “Iwas Paputok” campaign. Now in
its seventh year, “Iwas PapuToxic” seeks to dissuade the public, especially the
youth, from using firecrackers throughout the holiday season to prevent
injuries and deaths, as well as toxic environmental pollution.

The EcoWaste Coalition rewarded students with the most creative noisemakers
from recycled materials (winner: improvised drum from three used tin cans;
runners up: improvised pot lid cymbals and water jug drum).

“Given the fragile state of our climate and environment, we urge everyone to
welcome the New Year without the shedding of blood and the massive pollution
from the blasting of firecrackers and fireworks,” said Aileen Lucero, Iwas
PapuToxic Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition.

“The conventional use of firecrackers and fireworks to usher the New Year has
long been identified as a major source of accidental injuries and deaths, as
well as noise, garbage and air pollution,” she added.

To hammer home this message, Santa Claus and two students from CES donned gas
masks to demonstrate the toxic effects of paputok explosion to the air
we breathe.

Joining the students in the “Iwas PapuToxic” activity is DOH Asst. Sec. Dr.
Eric Tayag, Miss Philippines Earth 2012 Stephany Stefanowitz and child star
Buboy Villar, who led the group in performing Oppa Gangnam Style,
reiterating the importance of an emission-free and injury-proof holiday
festivities.

Also present at the launch were representatives from the Philippine National
Police and several environmental groups.

In light of the tragedy super typhoon Pablo has brought to Mindanao two weeks
ago, where more than 1,000 people were already confirmed dead, the EcoWaste
Coalition called on the people to drop their plans to light firecrackers or
conduct fireworks displays.

“We appeal to the hearts of those Filipinos preparing for their annual
pyrotechnic shows to cancel your plans and instead contribute the money you’ll
save to help the typhoon victims,” suggested Betty Cabazares, member of the
Steering Committee of the EcoWaste Coalition based in Davao City.

“Aside from minimizing toxic chemicals emission and firework-related accidents
and injuries, such compassionate and considerate gestures will surely benefit
affected families and raise their hopes for a brighter New Year,” Cabazares
added.

For a toxics-free New Year celebration, the EcoWaste Coalition recommends the
following eco-friendly noisemakers as alternatives to firecrackers and
fireworks. These are:

1. Blow
Pinoy-style trumpets (torotot).
2. Clank improvised cymbals such as pot lids or pans.
3. Jangle some maracas from used tin cans.
4. Rattle the tambourine made from flattened bottle crowns.
5. Jiggle "piggy banks" or "shakers" from paper box or
plastic bottles with seeds, pebbles or coins.
6. Play home-made drum made of big water bottles, biscuit cans or buckets.
7. Create whistling sound or get a whistle and blow it.
8. Strike the batya or palanggana (washbasin) with a ladle or stick.
9. Bang empty coconut shells.
10. Play your favorite music or musical instruments or just turn on the radio.
11. Set the alarm clock at 12:00 midnight or play ringtones altogether.
12. Beep the bicycle or car horns.
13. Clap your hands and stump your feet.
14. Laugh at the top of your lungs.
15. Do the latest dance craze “Oppa Gangnam Style,” twist and shout “Happy New
Year!”

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is a public interest network of community, church, school, environmental and health groups pursuing sustainable solutions to waste, climate change and chemical issues facing the Philippines and the world.